Opinion

Basketball buoyed by Youth Games success

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-08-21 13:13

SINGAPORE - The overwhelming success of three-on-three basketball at the inaugural Youth Games is a strong enough argument for both versions of the discipline to be included at future Olympics, according to the sport's organisers.

Buoyed by strong attendances and a positive response at the Youth Olympics in Singapore, International Federation Basketball (FIBA) secretary general Patrick Baumann is already seeking ways to take the smaller form of the sport to a bigger stage.

"Yes, absolutely," Baumann told Reuters when asked if there would be a time when two basketball events would be staged at a full Olympics.

"It would never replace the basic basketball, it is different. It is a tournament on its own. It is not a side tournament or an auxiliary event... it is a whole discipline on its own."

While attendances at some events in Singapore have been poor, three-on-three has proved a big hit with fans clamouring to see the frenetic game, which is played on a half court with one hoop for three periods of five minutes apiece.

Other rules include a reduced 10-second shot clock and an early end to the game if one side reaches 33 points.

HOTTEST TICKET

"It couldn't have gone any better, we are the hottest ticket in town," a delighted Baumann said at the Scape youth space, where the basketball tournament is taking place.

"Everyone likes to come here because it is fun. All the guys from the (other) national Olympic committees have come here because they want to see their team. Too cheer, its half an hour, its fast."

"We wanted a fast-paced game, a physical game, a players game. We didn't want it to be a coaches game and we wanted to make it attractive."

Part of that attraction has been the even level of competition in both the men's and women's competition.

Traditionally strong basketball nations such as the eastern European countries and the United States have progressed to the final stages but only after being pushed by Egypt and the Central African Republic.

"You are levelling off the differences between the countries so you no longer need a deep bench of players, so it open the game to small nations," Baumann said.

"The U.S. will always be able to have 12 players of the same quality which India would not be able to have. But India can have three, four or five players who can play three-on-three and they will be at the same level as the U.S."